From a fellow Canadian, I apologize.

[Karnaaj]

The sad thing about U.S.-Canada relations is that its seems that we have more in common with countries half way around the world than we do with our closest neighbor. Canada has become more socialist than most people realize. Their tax rates are obscene, their health care system is in shambles and their judges are more interested in showing sympathy to criminals than victims.

If Canada got attacked tomorrow we would be up there helping before the sun went down. If we got attacked tomorrow all we would get from Canada is the finger.

 

[mishi8]

The sad thing about U.S.-Canada relations is that its seems that we have more in common with countries half way around the world than we do with our closet neighbor. Canada has become more socialist than most people realize. Their tax rates are obscene, their health care system is in shambles and their judges are more interested in showing sympathy to criminals than victims.

If Canada got attacked tomorrow we would be up there helping before the sun went down. If we got attacked tomorrow all we would get from Canada is the finger.

That's bull. We've always been socialist, and we like it that way. If we didn't, we would vote for a different party. No way I'd trade in our health care system for what the US calls health care.

And it's bulls--t to say we wouldn't help the US. However, we're limited to what we can offer with the troops we have, and will not support a fight that we don't agree with.

 

[Harlock]

That's bull. We've always been socialist, and we like it that way. If we didn't, we would vote for a different party. No way I'd trade in our health care system for what the US calls health care.

And it's bulls--t to say we wouldn't help the US. However, we're limited to what we can offer with the troops we have, and will not support a fight that we don't agree with.

I have friends in Canada... they gripe about not being able to see a doctor and the waiting lists. I'll stick with America's broken down old health care system to Canada's thanks. Plus, the US system can be fixed by tort reform (if we can get rid of the **** lawyers) whereas Canada simply needs more qualified doctors who don;t corss the border to make more money. Easily fixed I suppose, if you raise your taxes some more... No thanks.

Secondly, that part about not supporting a fight that you don't agree with, if we go, you're next in line, I promise with or without your support.

 

[FL Knifemaker]

And it's bulls--t to say we wouldn't help the US. However, we're limited to what we can offer with the troops we have, and will not support a fight that we don't agree with.

Sounds familiar, now where have we heard that before???

 

[Karnaaj]

The problem is Mishi, there is no fight that we might get into that Canada would support us on. We're on our own. And as far as being happy that your a socialist country? I find that to be the saddest thing of all. You couldn't go back to being a free society if you wanted to. If you want to keep on paying 50 cents or better of every dollar you earn and get nothing in return be my guest. Heck, the reason you wouldn't be of much help to us even if you were willing is because of socialist ideology. Your philosophy is: Lets castrate the military to the point we're no threat to anybody and then we'll be left alone.

 

[slipknottin]

Your philosophy is: Lets castrate the military to the point we're no threat to anybody and then we'll be left alone.

That was essentially the policy of an early US. We were very isolationist...

 

[Harlock]

That was essentially the policy of an early US. We were very isolationist...

Most young nations are. You don't fight a revoultion and stabilize overnight. You generally win or lose the revolution, take time to stabilize, pay back some debt and focus on what we now call homeland security and how to rule without getting the snot kicked out of you by someone bigger.

 

[NowherMan6]

Being isolationist is one thing; the policy of the US for a long time was to let other countries worry about their own problems, just don't mess with us. (Which I am inclined to agree with - Teddy Roosevelt is my hero )

But we never castrated our military. Actually, we had a decent military, even from the beginning - heck, remember the Barbary Pirates? We sailed half way around the world to defeat them, and we were only a soverign nation for a few years!

To be certain, we were no military powerhouse at the time - that was the Europeans, especially Britain. But to say we disdained military matters, I think, is untrue.

 

[mishi8]

The problem is Mishi, there is no fight that we might get into that Canada would support us on. We're on our own. And as far as being happy that your a socialist country? I find that to be the saddest thing of all. You couldn't go back to being a free society if you wanted to. If you want to keep on paying 50 cents or better of every dollar you earn and get nothing in return be my guest. Heck, the reason you wouldn't be of much help to us even if you were willing is because of socialist ideology. Your philosophy is: Lets castrate the military to the point we're no threat to anybody and then we'll be left alone.

Hmmm, don't we have troops in Afghanistan? I believe we're helping there. And have in other wars.

As much as I enjoy visiting the US, and know some very fine, nice people there, there is no way I would trade living there for here. And as much as I don't like paying taxes, I do like that we have a national health care system, social programs, year-long maternity benefits, parental benefits, etc. I'd hardly call that nothing in return! And besides, if I were paying hundreds of dollars into an HMO that gives me a short list of drs to choose from and argues about every claim I make, I'd hardly call that a fair return on my investment. I haven't had to wait for any medical care, and have never been the victim of a long wait list. Yes there are areas where there is a wait, but at least when you get to the top of the list you don't go bankrupt paying for it. If one doesn't want to wait, and has either extended coverage (through work) or has the money, then there is freedom to travel outside the country for treatment (and in some cases health care will pay for it).

As far as being a free society...we are. We are free to speak, free to live where we want, work where we want, leave the country as we like, and choose the type of government we want to represent us. How is that not free? Just because we are not an "everyone for himself" capitalist country doesn't mean we don't enjoy freedoms. We just happen to care that everyone has equal opportunity to live comfortable, healthy lives.

I'm happy that we don't overspend, into the trillions, on military. I'd rather see us support peace-keeping rather than fighting anyway.

 

[ScottoMacD]

The problem is Mishi, there is no fight that we might get into that Canada would support us on. We're on our own. And as far as being happy that your a socialist country? I find that to be the saddest thing of all. You couldn't go back to being a free society if you wanted to. If you want to keep on paying 50 cents or better of every dollar you earn and get nothing in return be my guest. Heck, the reason you wouldn't be of much help to us even if you were willing is because of socialist ideology. Your philosophy is: Lets castrate the military to the point we're no threat to anybody and then we'll be left alone.

Actually that is not true. We supported the US in the First war with Iraq. The justified war. This war was just Bush and his cronies finishing what his dad couldn't do. WMD please spare me. It's about the oil. The two countries that did support you Britan came out with egg on it's face politically and is having a hard time recovering and Spain ousted their government. Now it's the US asking the UN to help out with the supposable new "Free" Iraq. With the amount of people dying daily unnecessarily (both Iraqi and American) makes you wonder if it wouldn't have been better just to have Huessain murdered instead.

The US comes off as a rogue state when they do things like Iraq. Next it's Iran. Unjustified invasion of any country even a bunch of asses like Iran and Iraq is never right unless they are a direct threat to you. Both of these countries aren't. If their neighbours in Europe aren't worried why should the US be?

Maybe a better foreign policy would be the easier and better way to go. Bush however just likes to pick fights. His next one will be at home. Say good bye to your social security. The low and middle class get screwed again while Bush's rich buddies take it to the bank.

As for our health care. Mismanagement of funds is the only problem. But I would still take it over the US's. My fathers cancer treatment was free. The same treatment in the states would have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. My son ended up in the emergency room of Montreal best Childrens hospital for a breathing ailment. The hospital was full No we didn't wait. They fixed him up and again it was free.

The people who complain are usually the ones who abuse the system. Which happens allot up here. They have a cold, so they goto the emergency room instead of the clinic. It's the little things that make the difference.

Personally I have no beef with what the US does. I actually could really care less. It doesn't affect me in any way so why should I care. Now if our government started acting in ways that were not appropriate then all héll would break loose.

The great people of the US who live down there seem happy with what they have. I'm up here happy with what I have so ...if there is a problem I don't see it.